I am a little embarrassed to say that this blog didn’t last very long after I first started writing it five years ago when I moved to London. And here I am, six years wiser, five years more experienced, six years…older (!!) and I’m still seeking, searching, selecting that perfect someone.
I’ve lived in four homes since my last post, fell in love with 1 guy, traveled to 19 countries, had 3 jobs, and loved (and hated) every moment of my adventure.
Undoubtedly life as an expat is exciting. Everything is brand new - an adventure at my finger tips. Faced with experiences and challenges of starting over in a new country that can develop you as a person, teach new skills, create new meanings in life and in the end - shows you what you're made of. These moments eventually translate into valuable memories, which are worth remembering for years and years to come.
I always knew I would come home - even when I didn't know, I knew - if that makes any sense. "Home" to some people might be where your apartment is, your work, your belongings - or even your friends and your family. But it's also a place where language and culture are familiar. There is a dark side to being an expat. The most obvious being feelings that you're missing out - my extreme FOMO mostly stemmed from missed holidays and missed life events. I spent time in London - one of the greatest cities in the world, watching my peers back home get engaged, married, have babies, progress their careers and I felt stuck. I couldn't commit to staying but there were parts of me that really didn't want to leave either.
It was the hardest decision I've ever made to move back. I left family and the love of my life behind to make a change. To come home. Now that I'm here - home - living in one of the nicest neighbourhoods' in the city, in an apartment that I could only close my eyes and wish for in London. I'm back with old friends and making new ones and I find myself finally feeling like Toronto is home. So I'm no longer "That Canadian Girl" I'm moving my musings and new experiences in Toronto and beyond to my new blog - Between Us Friends. Looking forward to the next chapter!
